KARACHI:
The government has formally approved the import of 750,000 metric tonnes of wheat to meet provincial requirements, with the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) issuing an international tender for procurement.
The TCP said the imported wheat would be distributed among provinces according to their respective demand and requirements. The wheat offered by international suppliers must be sourced from the latest crop.
Under the tender conditions, offers for a minimum quantity of 50,000 metric tonnes will be considered acceptable. The wheat will be delivered to Karachi and Gwadar ports on a cost and freight (CFR) basis.
The TCP has invited international suppliers to submit their bids by September 16, which will be opened at noon on the same day. The TCP has also specified the provincial allocation of the imported commodity. Of the total 750,000 metric tonnes, Sindh will receive 300,000 tonnes, Punjab 250,000 tonnes and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 200,000 tonnes.
The decision comes against the backdrop of a substantial gap between domestic wheat production and national consumption. Pakistan’s annual wheat consumption is estimated at around 31.3 million tonnes.
